4 common home building mistakes and how to avoid them
Planning on building a new home in Brisbane? Building a new home, whether it be from a set plan or a completely custom build, is one of the most exciting projects you’ll likely undertake in your lifetime. There are a lot of big decisions to be made and a lot of time and energy required, which can often make the process a little daunting. Sometimes simple errors or wrong decisions can result in major setbacks.
Considering the size of the investment, here are five of the most common home building mistakes and how you can avoid them.
Mistake 1: Your floorplan hasn’t been properly considered
If you’ve decided to build with a new home builder in Brisbane, you’ll likely receive a set of floor plans that indicate what your home is designed to look like. Time and time again, we’ve seen floorplans that are disjointed and don’t reflect the needs of a family, so it’s really important that you take the time to assess your floorplan. Without making minor adjustments you could be left with a home that doesn’t reflect your vision of what you thought it would be like.
A number of factors should influence the floorplan assessment and we’ve included some questions to ask below:
- What’s your current lifestyle?
- Do you want to grow your family?
- Are you downsizing?
- What are the constraints of your building site?
- Will the plan be oriented to ensure the best natural light and airflow?
- Are your bedrooms large enough to account for built-in wardrobes and a king/queen size bed?
- Do you have enough windows?
Mistake 2: Your lighting is letting you down
Light plays an enormous role in our everyday lives. Regulating our circadian rhythms, light affects our cognition, blood pressure, immune system, and metabolism.
Natural light in a new home
Natural light, when possible, should be the main source of light in your new home, but is often an aspect of a home that’s not fully considered or realised until after construction, once you’re living in the home. Speaking with your builder about maximising light throughout your home design is crucial and a mistake that many people building a new home don’t do. Strategically placing large windows, skylights, and glass doors throughout the design of your new home will ensure maximum liveability. The middle of a home can often be the darkest, so consider installing skylights to draw sunlight deep into the home.
Interior lighting in a new home
Interior lighting isn’t just a part of your home's decor, it also plays a significant functional role and contributes to the overall visibility of your home. Ignoring certain lighting rules can lead to excessive consumption of electricity and leave your home with unwanted dark space.
A well-designed interior space uses a combination of lighting types and we recommend avoiding a single light source in one room. Speak with your builder about your lighting configuration, and make sure you pay close attention to shadow zones.
Mistake 3: You didn’t choose the best insulation solution
There’s nothing more uncomfortable than trying to sleep when it’s too hot, particularly in a Queensland home. Insulating your new home is paramount to ensuring a comfortable living environment, but sometimes a builder will only include the minimum level of insulation, which is often not sufficient.
While a higher investment in the initial build stages, ensuring your new home is fitted with high-quality insulation in both the ceiling and walls will pay dividends in the long run. Not only will you be able to better regulate the temperature of your home, but you’ll also save money on electricity costs.
Mistake 4: You chose the wrong builder
If you’ve decided to build your home with a custom or luxury builder in Brisbane, choosing the right one can be a tough decision. Everybody has heard the horror stories of people taking Architect’s completed drawings to builders for pricing, only to have quotes come in 50% to 100% over budget. Or people who have their home handed over only to find numerous defects and issues.
If you choose the wrong builder, the consequences can significantly impact the building process, your budget, and the overall finished home.
When doing your research to find a new home builder in Brisbane, make sure you do your due diligence. Be sure to do your research—always check the builder’s reviews and credentials. In Queensland, you can look up a builder’s licence through the QBCC website.
You also want to choose someone you can communicate your wants and needs to freely; a builder who has transparency in their process, pricing, and final results. Arrange more than one appointment to see if you’re a good fit, and during these appointments, discuss their previous expertise and experience to gauge their opinion on your situation.
